A COUNCILLOR last night savaged the Government for not helping D-Day veterans attend this year’s commemoration.

Denby Dale councillor Jim Dodds – who served in the Army for 35 years – is angry the Ministry of Defence is not helping former servicemen attend the Normandy ceremony.

June 6 marks the 65th anniversary of D-Day, when British, Canadian and American troops began the liberation of occupied France.

Clr Dodds, a former major in the Royal Signals, said: “The Government says it only allocates funds for 25th, 50th, 60th and 100th anniversaries. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to calculate that the UK will not have many veterans left to attend the 100th anniversary celebrations of D-Day.

“I find the Government’s lack of respect for our armed forces abhorrent. The governments of Canada and the US are funding their veterans to return – our Government’s failure to ensure official representation is a disgrace.”

The Kirklees Conservative leader added: “With the support of my fellow Conservative councillors we have pledged £350 to ensure at least one veteran from Kirklees who previously could not afford to go will be able to attend the anniversary.”